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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the author think nature experiments with insects' shape, form and "niche?"
(a) because nature is still trying to figure out how to kill off the insects
(b) to see which works best
(c) Dillard figures nature will try anything once
(d) from boredom

2. Why do birds sing?
(a) because they like to hear themselves
(b) to signal to other birds
(c) scientists really do not know why birds sing
(d) to praise the sun

3. What does she realize is the best way to quiet her mind?
(a) counting from 100 to zero backwards
(b) by offering a nonchalant nod to the presence of words in the head
(c) sitting quietly and breathing deeply
(d) taking a sleeping pill

4. Why did Xerxes stop the advance of his entire army?
(a) to get ready to attack the Greeks
(b) to watch a beautiful sunset
(c) to cut a path through a dense forest
(d) to meditate on the beauty of a sycamore tree

5. When Dillard is looking at a stream, where does she look?
(a) on the north bank
(b) at the water going over the rocks
(c) she always looks upstream
(d) in the center of the water

Short Answer Questions

1. What causes most insects' behavior?

2. How do mice reach the grain at the top of a stalk?

3. After she examines the snake skin closely, what does she figure out?

4. How do honey bees survive the cold of winter?

5. Thinking about God and nature, what does Dillard come to believe is possible?

Short Essay Questions

1. Write a brief description of what Dillard knows and observes about monarch butterflies.

2. What might Dillard's fascination and stories about the praying mantis demonstrate?

3. Dillard uses stories from the pre-modern Eskimo culture throughout this book. Why do you think she connects so strongly with this culture?

4. Dillard still rails against the seeming cruelty of nature; however, what else is she seeing by Chapter 13?

5. Dillard spends the entire chapter dealing with the passing of a hurricane. How does the theme of "floods" relate to other parts of the book?

6. Briefly tell the story written in Chapter 15 about a young man and his mother.

7. Why do you think the story about the coot might be significant?

8. Dillard states that once one accepts the inevitability of death, the rest is easy. What might she mean by that?

9. Dillard recalls what a woman recently told her, "'Seem like we're just set down here...and don't nobody know why."' What do you think this saying means?

10. Chapter One is titled, "Heaven and Earth in Jest." Why do you think this was the title chosen for this first chapter?

(see the answer keys)

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